NCERT Highlights Privacy Risks of Online Gaming Through Cyber Safety Short Film
New Delhi: Ordinary things like chat messages and requests for pictures can be the starting point of privacy risks for students who are into online gaming. A short film released by NCERT carries an important message for students who are into online gaming- enjoy gaming, but do not share your personal information with strangers. The awareness message, titled “Online Gaming: Play Safe, Keep Your Privacy Secure!”, concentrates on protecting one’s photographs and information while interacting with other players. It advises students to take informed and conscious decisions while interacting with people online and seeks to empower them by suggesting they reach out for help if and when a situation becomes risky or uncomfortable for them.
The message emphasises the importance of being cautious while sharing personal information by using the statement, “Think Before You Share. Stay Safe. Stay Smart!”. It has also used different hashtags like- #CyberSafety, #OnlinePrivacy, #SafeGaming, #DigitalAwareness and #NCERT to encourage responsible and safe behaviour while using digital media. As per the communiqué, the short film hasn’t yet been released by NCERT, and the details about its length, director, and a direct link to watch the film are not available. The details are to be ascertained from NCERT’s original post before publishing any information about the short film.
Why Is NCERT Concerned about Online Gaming?
Internet games are no longer limited to competing against the computer. A number of games allow players to communicate with each other via text or voice chat.
These games foster interaction, competition and socialising. But, they create opportunities for players to gain the trust of strangers to elicit information that players must keep private.
What Personal Information Should Students Avoid Sharing?
While chatting with new players can be fun, students should consider the information they share with them. Things that seem harmless in a group chat can be sensitive when combined with other details. Things to not to share:
- Don’t send pictures and videos that you wouldn’t want the whole world to see.
- Phone numbers and emails: Don’t take conversations to private channels.
- Don’t tell people where you live and where you go.
- Don’t tell people what school or college you go to.
- Don’t give people your passwords, account numbers and one time passwords.
Also, the CBSE’s Cyber Safety Manual states that students should not share their personal information when using online gaming platforms. It says people can fool students to believe that they are children in order to gain their trust and steal information.
Online Gaming Safety: Steps Students Can Follow
Students can still game and be safe. They just need to identify risky behavior and use privacy settings properly.
1.Keep gaming profiles private
Students can change the settings of their gaming accounts so that only their friends can send them friend requests or contact them.
2. Not every online identity is trustworthy
A profile picture or friendly conversation doesn’t reveal a person’s real identity. Don’t share personal information, just because you feel a player is nice or friendly.
3. Be cautious with photos and screen sharing
Do not send personal photos or turn on your webcam for someone you’ve only met online. Photos and video calls can be recorded and shared.
The Indian government’s cybercrime safety tips warn users with sharing photos and video calls.
4. Block and report
If someone requests photos or threatens you, block and report that person.
5. Tell an adult you trust
If an online interaction makes you feel uncomfortable, tell a parent or teacher you trust. It’s always better to reach out for help, and you shouldn’t feel embarrassed for it.
What should students do, if someone misuses their information?
If a person threatens to share your photos or misuses your personal information, you should stop talking to that person and capture the evidence of the conversation or messages. Then, block and report that person. You should also tell a parent or guardian about it. The practical steps are:
- Stop communicating with the person.
- Keep evidence such as screenshots, usernames, profiles and messages.
- Block and report the account to the gaming platform.
- Talk to your parent/guardian or a trusted adult.
- Report the incident on the Cyber Crime Reporting Portal of the Government of India.
The National Cyber Crime Portal offers the option of online reporting of cybercrimes to citizens. Students and families can use this service to report cybercrimes committed against them when their online behavior turns hostile, threatening and/or invasive of their personal information.
NCERT’s Cyber Safety Message to Students, Parents and Schools
The message has a wider application to the audience beyond students. Moms and dads can learn and reinforce with kids the value of digital privacy and safety by discussing and setting their gaming account privacy and safety settings, and by reporting and blocking unwanted interactions.
CIET-NCERT’s cyber safety materials provide digital safety tips for students, teachers and parents. The larger message is that gaming friends or partners are not necessarily trusted friends and private messages are not always private.
FAQs
1. What is NCERT’s online gaming safety message about?
The message, entitled “Online Gaming: Play Safe, Keep Your Privacy Secure!”, alerts students to the risk of sharing their personal data and photos while engaging with other players online, and encourages them to guard against this risk.
2. Why should students not post their personal photos in online games?
Photos shared with persons with whom they have no acquaintance, may be saved, sent to others and used in ways that may harm the student. Students are advised not to send their personal photos to persons they meet through online games.
3. What personal information should students not disclose while gaming?
Students should not disclose their home address, school, and phone number, photos, passwords, live location, or other private information.
4. How can students play online games safely?
Students should use their privacy settings, protect their account with strong passwords, not click on unknown links, and not accept friend requests from unknown players, and block or report players if needed.
5. What should students do if they feel threatened while playing an online game?
Students should cease communicating with the player, take screenshots as evidence, and block the player. Students should report the player, and tell an adult they trust. They can also report serious incidents at the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.
6. Where can students report online gaming-related cybercrime in India?
Students and their families can report cybercrime at the official website of the Government of India: cybercrime.gov.in.
7. Does NCERT have cyber safety resources?
Yes. NCERT- CIET has online resources on cyber safety and other related issues.
Click Here for More Latest News